Display apparatus



United States Patent Ofiice 3,171 ,541 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 3,171,541DISPLAY APPARATUS David Weisberger, 1411 Ellwood Ave., Mount Vernon, NX.Filed Mar. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 262,922 7 Claims. (Qi- 211-37) Thisinvention relates to display apparatus and more particularly, tomerchandise display racks having one or more shelves which areadjustable in slope.

Two highly desirable attributes of shelved display racks, such as thoseof the type useful in exhibiting retail merchandise, are a high degreeof adjustability and a simplified procedure by which these variousadjustments may be accomplished. Such racks when used in retail shoestores, for example and without limitation, are often employed toaccommodate merchandise of varying shapes, each of which for its moststable and attractive display may require placement on a shelf having adifferent horizontal slope. Ladies high heel shoes, for instance, havebeen found to present a particularly attractive display when placed on ashelf which is oriented at a relatively steep angle. Such anorientation, however, does not impair the stability of the display sincethe heels of these shoes may rest behind and engage the rear edge of thesteeply sloped shelves, thereby preventing the shoes from slidingdownwardly. Shoes with so-called low, or fiat, heels are alsoattractively displayed on sloped shelves, but, owing to the lesser depthof their heels and the resulting greater likelihood that such shoes whenremoved for inspection will not be properly replaced, considerations ofstability require that the slopes of the shelves should be less steepthan in the case of high heel shoes. Finally, such a rack may be calledupon to display various flat bottomed articles such as bedroom slippersor any number of common accessories such as ladies handbags, costumejewelry and the like, in which case the shelves upon which these goodssit are preferably horizontal.

In order to provide a wide variety in the display of such merchandise,it is usual to readjust from time to time the slopes of these shelves.Where a display in one instance might be comprised of all high heelshoes, it might be desired to modify such a display by substituting alllow heel shoes, all flat bottom goods, or a combination of thesearticles. This modification requires a corresponding readjustment in theslopes of the shelves involved. Moreover, in deciding upon the finalversion of a retail merchandise display a number of preliminaryarrangements are usually explored, during which frequent readjustment ofthe shelves may be necessary.

Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to display a variety ofdifferent wares at various angular orientations.

It is another object of the invention to simplify the procedure forangularly readjusting shelves in a merchandise display rack.

The objects of the invention are accomplished, broadly, by the provisionof a frame, first and second members mounted on said frame andrelatively positioned to define at least a single shelf for supportingmechandise or the like, at least one of the aforementioned members beingmovable in sliding translation relative to the other member, and linkagemeans for imparting translatory motion to the movable members.

The objects, features and various advantages of the invention will bemore thoroughly understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of an illustrative embodiment of the invention inconjunction with the accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of the invention embodied in a merchandisedisplay rack;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the center guide bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary View of the display rack of FIG. 1 showing indetail the linkage mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the rack of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary view showing the linkage mechanism of theinvention.

With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of amerchandise display rack constructed in accordance with the invention.As shown, the frame of the rack is wedge shaped in general outline, andcomprises a pair of inverted V-shaped end members 1 and 2, the spreadends of which terminate in the corners of a rectangularly shapedplatform bounded by rods 3 through 6, and the vertices of which are heldin proper spaced relation by tie bar 17. The entire rack rests upon legs7 which extend downwardly from the corners of the afore mentionedplatform. A plurality of supporting members 8 through 14 spacedvertically from each other, extend horizontally between correspondinglegs of V-shaped end members 1 and 2, and thereby form a front wall ofthe wedge shaped rack. Tie rods 11 through 13 which are spacedvertically from each other, connect together the front and rear legs ofV-shaped end member 1 to form the left side wall of the wedge shapedrack. Tie rods 14 through 16 are similar to their counterparts 13through 11 with respect to V-shaped end member 2, and form the rightside wall of the wedge shaped rack. A rod 18 is rigidly connected to themidpoints of rods 4 and 6.

Extending upwardly from a sleeve 67 on rod 18 is a vertical guide bar19, the upper end of which is suitably bent for lateral insertion intosleeve 61 of the tie bar 17. Rigidly connected along guide bar 19 areseveral pairs of split sleeves 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the individualsleeves 2d of each pair reside on opposite sides of bar 19, and eachpair of sleeves is disposed in vertical alignment with the pair ofsleeves above. The casing of each sleeve 20 is split in order to providea vertical opening 21 which is located diametrically opposite to guidebar 19. Rigidly connected to tie rods 11 through 16 on the inside of thewedge shaped frames are individual sleeves 22. It will be observed thatthe sleeves associated with the respective V-shaped end members 1 and 2are in vertical alignment with each other. Each of sleeves 22 is splitto provide a vertical opening 23 diametrically opposite to the tie rodto which that sleeve is connected. Accordingly, the vertical openings 21in the sleeves 211 which are situated to the right of guide bar 19 facethe vertical openings 23 in the sleeves 22 which are connected to tierods 14 through 16. Likewise, the vertical openings 21 in the sleeves219 which are situated to the left of guide bar 19 face the verticalopenings 23 (not shown) in the sleeves 22 which are connected to tierods 11 through 13. Preferably, sleeves 2i) and 22 are constructed ofresilient material.

Mounted vertically for sliding translation relative to the wedge shapedframe are ladder-like members 24 and 25 which are respectively locatedto the left and to the right of guide bar 19. Ladder-like member 24 isan integral structure comprising a pair of vertical runners 26 and 27which are separated by spaced horizontal rungs 23 through 38.Ladder-like member 25 is identical to ladder-like member 24 andcomprises vertical runners 31 and 32 which are separated by spacedhorizontal rungs 33 through 35'. The slidable mounting for ladderlikestructure 2-1 is provided by respectively inserting runners 2d and 27through openings 21 and 23 of the sleeves 2d and 22 which are disposedto the left of guide bar 19. Similarly, the slidable mounting for 'ofguide :bar 19. Accordingly, the diameter of runners 26, 27, 31 and 32are slightly smaller than the inside diameter of sleeves 2t) and 22 sothat sliding may occur with minimum friction. The resiliency of sleeves20 and 22 permits the runners 26, 27, 31 and 32 to be snapped intoproper position through vertical openings 21 and 23.

It will be observed that thevertical spacing of rungs 28 through 30-and33 through 35 on ladder-like structures 24 and 25, respectively,correspond to the vertical spacing of supporting members 8 through 10.Thus, the rungs 28 through 30 and left-hand portions of supportingmembers 8 through define a first group of stacked shelves, the. slopesof which are determined by the vertical position of ladder-likestructure 24. Likewise, the rungs 33 through 35 and the right-handportions of supporting members 8 through 10 define a second group ofstacked shelves, the slopes of which are determined by the verticalposition of ladder-like structure 25.

In accordance with one feature of the invention linkage means areprovided for applying independent vertical forces to ladder-likestructures 24 and 25, thereby to slidingly vary the vertical position ofone of the ladderlike structures relative to the other, and thus'toslidingly vary the slopes of one group of stacked shelves relative tothe other. One illustrative arrangement for applying the aforementionedindependent vertical forces to ladderlike structures 24 and 25 is shownin FIGS. 1 and 3. As pictured in FIG. 1, a pair of separate coaxialshafts 36 and 37 are mounted beneath the rectangular platform defined byrods 3 through 6 in a direction parallel to rods 4 and 6. The far endsof shafts 36 and 37 extend. loosely through rings 38 and 39,respectively, which are affixed to the undersurfaces of rods 3 and 5,and the near ends, as shown in detail by FIG. 4, are rotatably supportedin a horizontal sleeve 40.

Rigidly connected to the respective far ends of shafts 36 and 37,slightly beyond the side walls of the wedge shaped frame, are lever arms41 and 42 which extend forward in planes parallel to rods 3 and 5.Rigidly connected to the respective shafts 36 and 37, slightly Withinthe side walls of the wedge shaped frame, are first linkage arms 43 and44 which extend in a rearward direction in planes parallel to rods 3 and5. Second linkage arms 45 and 46, respectively, are pivotally connectedto the ends of arms 43 and 44 remote from shafts 36 and 37, and fromthere extend generally upward for rigid connection to runners 27 and 32via sleeves 47 and 48; In order to distribute the independent verticalforces uniformly across the respective ladder-like structures 24 and 25,linkagearms 4-3 and 45,'which are disposed at the far end of shaft 36,are duplicated at the near end of shaft 36 by a corresponding set oflinkage arms 43' 4 to properly rotate the particular lever arms, 41 or42, associated with the group of shelves to be adjusted. For example, ifit is desired to'increase the slopes of the shelves comprising theleft-hand group, it is necessary only to rotate lever arm 41 downwardlyas indicated in FIG. 3. In response, shaft 36 is rotated in thedirection indicated by the appropriate arrow in FIG. 3, and linkage arms43 and 43 are consequently rotated upwardly. As

and and linkage arms 44 and 46, which are disposed at the far end ofshaft 37, are likewise duplicated by a corresponding set of linkage arms44' and 46'.

Extending downwardly from rod 3, at a point forward of shaft 36, is anarcuate tab 49 having several vertically spaced and outwardly protrudingballs 56 rigidly connected thereto. Extending downwardly from rod S, ata point forward of shaft 37, is a planar tab (not shown) which issimilar in both construction and function to tab 49 of rod 3. Tab 49 issituated so that lever arm 41 slidingly engages balls and is therebyselectively positioned in rotational angle. The aforementioned tabassociated with rod 5 positions lever arm 42 in rotational angle in thesame manner that tab 49 positions lever arm 41.

The apparatus described above provides a merchandise display rack havinga left-hand group and a right-hand. group of stacked shelve-s which aredefined by front and rear horizontal bars.

If it is desired to vary the slopes of the shelves of one of the groups,it is only necessary a result, the vertical component of force at thepivoted end of linkage arms 43 and 43' are transferred through linkagearms 45 and 45' to the runners 26 and 27 of ladder-like structure 24.Thus, by merely rotating lever arm 41, a vertical force is applied so asto slidingly raise rungs 23, 2and 36 relative to supporting members 8, 9and 10, and thereby slidingly vary the slopes of the left-hand group ofstacked shelves relative to the righthand group. A- similar result isobviously obtained with respectto the right-hand group of shelves bymerely rotating lever arm 42. Preferably, the sleeves 20 and 22 are oflarge enough inside diameter with respect to the diameters of runners26, 27, 31 and 32,.and all of the various linkage arms are suflicientlyflexible, that the slight nherent components of horizontal force appliedto arms 45, 45, 46 and 46 owing to the circular paths described by thepivotal ends of arms 43, 43', 44 and 44' do not substantially increasethe dynamic friction involved vertically in sliding ladder-like members24 and 25.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, thepreselected vertical levels to which ladderlike structures 24 and 25 maybe raised, and consequently the various preselected slopes of the groupsof stacked shelves, are determinedby the relative positions of balls 50on tab 49 for the-left-hand group, and on the corresponding tab (notshown) depending from rod 5 for the right-hand group. As shown, leverarm 41 is held in rotational position by its being lodged between a pairof adjacent balls 50. Preferably, the resiliency of lever arm 41issufficient to permit the lever arm to be frictionnear the bottom ofthe frame close to the floor, and the latch mechanism is located at thetop of the frame, the

.angular orientation of a group of stacked shelves may conveniently bevaried by, firstly, pulling latch 52 out of engagement with the teeth ofrack 51, secondly, manipulating lever arm41 by foot, and finally,releasing latch 55.

52 back into locking engagement withrack 51 when the desired slopes havebeen reached. A similar latch and rack mechanism (not shown) is disposedon end member 2 and runner 32 so as to vary the slopes of the shelves ofthe right-hand group in the same manner.

In all cases it is to be understood that the'particular embodiments ofthe invention described herein are merely illustrative of .theunderlying principles involved, and numerous other arrangements,modifications and adaptations may be conceived without departing fromthe spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

' 1. Display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame including apair of substantially V-shaped end members,'a plurality of spacedsupporting members affixed to corresponding arms of said end members, aladder-like structure comprising runners separated by a plurality ofspaced rungs, said structure being movably mounted on said frame forsliding translation, and said structure being further mounted on saidframe such that said supporting members and said rungs are relativelypositioned to define a plurality of stacked shelves, and linkage meansconnected to said frame and to said ladderlike structure for impartingtranslatory motion to said structure relative to said frame, thereby tovary the angular orientation of said shelves.

2. Display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame including a pairof substantially V-shaped end members, a plurality of spaced supportingmembers affixed to corresponding arms of said end members, a ladder-likestructure comprising runners separated by a plurality of spaced rungs,sleeves affixed to said frame ends disposed transverse to saidsupporting members, means for mounting said ladder-like structure onsaid sleeves for sliding translation relative to said frame, saidladder-like structure being so disposed on said frame that saidsupporting members and said rungs define a plurality of stacked shelves,and linkage means for imparting translatory motion to said ladder-likestructure relative to said frame, thereby to vary the angularorientation of said shelves.

3. Display apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said linkagemeans comprises a shaft mounted for rotation on said frame, a lever armconnected to said shaft to impart rotation thereto, a first link fixedlyconnected to said shaft, and a second link fixedly connected to saidladder-like structure, said links being pivotally interconnected atrespective ends thereof.

4. Display apparatus comprising, in combination, a frame defined by apair of end members, a plurality of spaced supporting members affixed tosaid end members in stacked relation, first and second ladder-likestructures, each of said structures comprising a pair of runnersseparated by a pluarality of spaced rungs, means for mounting saidladder-like structures for sliding translation on said frame and betweensaid end members such that said supporting members and the rungs of saidfirst ladder-like structure define one group of stacked shelves and saidsupporting members and the rungs of said second ladder-like structuredefine another group of stacked shelves, means for imparting translatorymotion to said first ladder-like structure, thereby to vary the angularorientation of said one group of stacked shelves relative to the angularorientation of said other group, and means for imparting translatorymotion to said second ladderlike structure, thereby to vary the angularorientation of said other group of stacked shelves relative to theangular orientation of said one group.

5. Display apparatus in accordance with claim 4 where in said means formounting said ladder-like structures comprises a guide bar connected tosaid frame, a plurality of sleeves connected to said guide bar, saidsleeves slideably embracing one of said runners of each of saidladderlike structures, first and second shafts respectively associatedwith said first and second ladder-like structures, first and secondlever arms for respectively imparting rotation to said first and secondshafts, and mechanical linkages respectively connected between saidfirst and second shafts and said first and second ladder-likestructures.

6. Display apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means formounting said ladder-like structures further comprises a tab member foreach of said lever arms, said tabs being mounted on said frame and eachhaving a plurality of spaced projections positioned for frictionalengagement with one of said lever arms.

7. Display apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means formounting said ladder-like structures further comprises a toothed rackconnected to each of said ladder-like structures, a latch for each ofsaid racks connected to said frame, and means for tensioning saidlatches into locking engagement with their respective racks.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,815,858 7/31Lifschultz 211-134 X 1,927,353 9/33 Thomas 211181 X 2,431,423 11/47Robbins 211-37 2,600,298 6/52 Jarrett 211175 X FOREIGN PATENTS 331,5326/30 Great Britain.

878,617 10/61 Great Britain.

226,428 7/43 Switzerland.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. DISPLAY APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FRAME INCLUDING A PAIROF SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED END MEMBERS, A PLURALITY OF SPACED SUPPORTINGMEMBERS AFFIXED TO CORRESPONDING ARMS OF SAID END MEMBERS, A LADDER-LIKESTRUCTURE COMPRISING RUNNERS SEPARATED BY A PLURALITY OF SPACED RUNGS,SAID STRUCTURE BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR SLIDINGTRANSLATION, AND SAID STRUCTURE BEING FURTHER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME SUCHTHAT SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS AND SAID RUNGS ARE RELATIVELY POSITIONED TODEFINE A PLURALITY OF STACKED SHELVES, AND LINKAGE MEANS CONNECTED TOSAID FRAME AND TO SAID LADDERLIKE STRUCTURE FOR IMPARTING TRANSLATORYMOTION TO SAID STRUCTURE RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, THEREBY TO VARY THEANGULAR ORIENTATION OF SAID SHELVES.